From your symptoms, you may be suffering from gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), commonly called acid reflux. Yes, irregular food habits, prolonged gaps between meals, lack of physical activity, and lying down soon after eating can contribute to your symptoms. I would suggest the following: Eat small, regular meals and avoid skipping meals. Reduce oily, spicy and fried foods, tea, coffee, and carbonated drinks if they trigger your symptoms. Avoid lying down for at least 2–3 hours after meals. Have dinner at least 3 hours before bedtime. Start regular walking or moderate physical activity. Pantoprazole 40 mg is generally taken 30–60 minutes before breakfast. However, since you have already tried it without adequate improvement, the dose, timing and duration of treatment need to be reviewed. Since your symptoms have persisted for more than two weeks, I recommend a medical consultation if they do not improve. An upper GI endoscopy may be considered if symptoms persist despite appropriate treatment and that too after at least 3 months of persistent symptoms. If you develop difficulty swallowing, painful swallowing, persistent vomiting, vomiting blood, black stools, or unexplained weight loss, seek medical attention promptly. Severe chest pain also requires urgent evaluation. Please tell me: For how many days did you take Pan 40, and were you taking it before breakfast or after food? There is no need to panic, as most uncomplicated cases of acid reflux respond well to appropriate treatment and lifestyle modifications.

Acidity lasting over two weeks that only partly responds to antacids usually comes down to diet, meal timing and activity level, just as you suspect. Late or skipped meals, low activity and spicy or fried food all keep acid production high even with pan 40 on board.